The Hand and Flowers - Marlow, Buckinghamshire

RestaurantsTravel

7 Dec

Our Rating: ★★★ | ££££ - Amazing experience but very expensive (How we rate restaurants)

Summary: The experience here is exceptional, with outstanding service, a fantastic atmosphere, and delicious food. That said, it’s undeniably pricey for what is essentially an elevated pub meal. While its 2 Michelin stars justify the cost to some extent, we feel you can find equally memorable foodie experiences elsewhere for a similar price. If it fits comfortably within your budget, it’s worth visiting and making a weekend of it in Marlow. However, if it would stretch your finances, we’d recommend exploring other options.

House Menu (3 courses): £175 per head

Sunday Lunch (3 courses): £175 per head

Set Lunches (Mon-Fri): £55 - £65

When we planned our recent trip to Marlow, there was one clear highlight: dinner at The Hand and Flowers, Tom Kerridge's iconic two-Michelin-starred pub. This wasn’t just a spontaneous choice—it was the reason for the trip, thanks to a thoughtful wedding gift from our friends in the form of a dining voucher.

Tom Kerridge is celebrated for his ability to elevate hearty British classics while keeping them approachable and comforting.

Warm, Inviting, and Unpretentious

The Hand and Flowers perfectly blends warmth and sophistication. Despite its Michelin credentials, the atmosphere is cosy and unpretentious, making you feel right at home. The staff were exceptional, striking that elusive balance between professionalism and genuine hospitality.

The manager, who was helping serve our table, would always take the time to talk to us. About the food, the restaurant, Tom, the process by which they make dishes, etc.

One small but incredibly thoughtful touch? Knowing I don’t eat pork, they printed a custom pork-free menu just for me. It’s these little details that elevate the experience.

It’s also the only restaurant we have been to where they served their wine to us in a decanter.

The Food: Elevated Comfort Food

The Hand and Flowers offers a three-course set menu, so no sharing plates here. The portions were generous—something that can’t be said for every fine-dining establishment—and we left stuffed.

The meal was everything you’d hope for: comfort pub food, but elevated. Did it fully embody the grandeur of two Michelin stars? That’s debatable. But what’s certain is that this was a memorable meal we’ll be talking about for a long time.

Here’s what we had:

Sausage Roll with Fried Pickled Cucumber
Sourdough with Cultured Butter
Duck Liver Parfait with Orange Chutney and Toasted Brioche (outstanding, the only item that has been on the menu since opening)
Tart of Cured Beef, Mushroom & Oyster with Marmite Rarebit, Dried Seaweed, and Tabasco Salt
John Dory with Squid Lasagne, Crispy Scale Turnip, Bottarga, Green Garlic, and Roasted Bone Butter Sauce
Coffee-crusted loin of Venison with Long Pepper Muffin, Caramel Poached Pear, Blue Cheese Walnuts, Celery & Lovage Purée, and Sour Blackberry Sauce
Buttered Hispi Cabbage and Mashed Potato (buttery smooth)
Banana Soufflé with Vanilla Custard Ice Cream and Chocolate & Plantation Original Dark Rum Sauce
Toasted Madagascan Vanilla “Rice Pudding Beignet”

Drinks: A Perfect Pairing

The drinks at The Hand and Flowers were just as impressive as the food. The wine served from a decanter was a first for us and added a touch of elegance to the experience.

The cocktails were equally outstanding—crafted with care and bursting with flavour. For beer lovers, The Hand and Flowers has its own house brews, which are Smooth, flavourful, and perfectly balanced; they complement the meal beautifully.

After dinner, we lingered at the bar, sitting by the fire and soaking in the warm, lovely atmosphere. It was the perfect way to unwind and reflect on such a special meal before heading home.

We sat there for so long that we watched most of the second service come and go!

Is It Worth It?

Dining at The Hand and Flowers is certainly an experience, and it’s easy to see why it’s such a celebrated destination. While it’s undeniably on the pricier side, the combination of thoughtful service, generous portions, and memorable dishes makes it worth considering for a special occasion.

If you’re planning a trip to Marlow, we’d recommend making it a weekend getaway. The Hand and Flowers isn’t just a meal—it’s an experience to savour.

Would we return? Absolutely, but only when we can really afford it!